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BIG STORY FEBRUARY 16, 2024 | The Indian Eye 5

since the award was announced for Bharat Ratna to be conferred upon
Chaudhary Charan Singh. “There former PM PV Narasimha Rao “fan-
have been no talks here. Whatever tastic”, author and daughter of for-
it is, is being published in newspa- mer President Pranab Mukherjee,
pers, I am getting all the information Sharmistha Mukherjee on Friday
through you” Akhilesh had said. said that former Prime Minister who
The announcement has reper- ushered economic reforms in India
cussions down south too. After the was “never acknowledged by Gand-
announcement of Bharat Ratna to hi-Nehru family.”
be conferred upon the former Prime “This is fantastic news... The way
Minister PV Narsimha Rao, Telan- PV Narasimha Rao was ignored and
gana Minister Sridhar Babu Duddil- sidelined by his own party... He was
la expressed his delight and said he the person who ushered econom-
A file picture of former Prime Minister and feels “proud” about it. Lauding Rao ic reforms in India but this Gand- Former PM Chaudhary Charan Singh is to be
veteran Congress leader PV Narasimha Rao for the economic reforms done for hi-Nehru family never acknowledged conferred with the Bharat Ratna award
the Indian economy Duddilla said it and didn’t even allow his mortal
the President, government, and PM that the former PM gave the Indian remains to enter the AICC after his “I think it’s the absolute magna-
Modi because this was part of his vi- economy the right direction three de- death,” Mukherjee said on Friday. nimity and graciousness of Narendra
sion. Three awards have been given. cades ago. She further said that the an- Modi’s government to confer and
The sentiments of the people are con- The announcement also brought nouncement taken by Narendra Mo- recognize the greatness and contri-
nected with this decision,” he said. some embarrassment to the Congress di’s government is “absolute magna- bution of the Prime minister who be-
When repeatedly questioned party. Calling the announcement of nimity and graciousness”. longs to Congress,” she added.
about joining hands with the BJP for The announcements on Friday
the Lok Sabha Polls the RLD Chief also made some opposition party
said” “Koi kasar rehti hai? Aaj main defensive. Following the announce-
kis muh se inkaar karoon aapke ment of the ‘Bharat Ratna’ to Chaud-
sawalon ko.” (Is there anything left? hary Charan Singh and PV Narsimha
How can I deny this?) Rao and agricultural scientist MS
However the RLD Chief kept Swaminathan, Samajwadi Party lead-
some room open for further nego- er Shivpal Singh said on Friday that
tiation saying that speaking about the party had put forward the same
seats on a day like this wasn’t the demand several times. “I had put
right thing. “Talking about seats or forward this demand several times.
votes will make this day less import- Now, congratulations on the fulfil-
ant. When I am congratulating and ment of the demand,” Yadav said.
PM Modi has given a decision that By conferring the country’s top
proves he understands the basic sen- award to legendary figures just a
timents and character of the nation,” few months before the general elec-
he said. tions, Modi has opened a new front
Earlier in the day Samajwadi Former Deputy Director General at the WHO and daughter of MS Swaminathan, Dr Soumya to break the unity of opposition par-
Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav said he Swaminathan speaks to the media on her father being conferred the Bharat Ratna (ANI) ties. The Congress will find it hard to
hasn’t spoken to Jayant Chaudhary counter this move.

Leaders across political spectrum hail Bharat Ratna to Advani

fter Prime Minister Narendra Modi and I&B minister as well. His parliamentary in-
announced that Bharatiya Janata Par- terventions have always been exemplary, full of
Aty (BJP) stalwart Lal Krishna Advani rich insights.”
would be conferred with the country’s highest LK Advani said that Bharat Ratna is not
civilian award-- the Bharat Ratna-- political only an honour for him but for the ideals and
leaders from across party lines greeted him and principles he strove for in life to the best of his
expressed delight at it. abilities. In a statement, Advani said he accepts
Prime Minister Modi last week announced the ‘Bharat Ratna’ with utmost humility.
that Advani would be conferred with the Bharat LK Advani said he has been inspired by the
Ratna. motto ‘idam-na-mama” and expressed his grat-
Taking to ‘X’, PM Modi wrote, “I am very itude to BJP workers, RSS swayamsevaks and
happy to share that Shri LK Advani Ji will be those with whom he worked in his long journey
conferred the Bharat Ratna. I also spoke to him in public life.
and congratulated him on being conferred this “With utmost humility and gratitude, I
honour. One of the most respected statesmen accept the ‘Bharat Ratna’ that has been con-
of our time, his contribution to the develop- ferred on me today. It is not only an honour
ment of India is monumental. His is a life that for me as a person, but also for the ideals and
started from working at the grassroots to serv- BJP President JP Nadda extends greetings to veteran party principles that I strove to serve throughout my
ing the nation as our Deputy Prime Minister. leader LK Advani for being conferred Bharat Ratna life to the best of my ability,” he said in the
He distinguished himself as our home minister statement.

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